Ocean and Mediterranean; size and juxtaposition to Israel
establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics

- People
Population: 54,705,746 (July 1990), growth rate 2.5% (1990)

Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1990)

Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)

Infant mortality rate: 90 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 61 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1990)

Nationality: noun--Egyptian(s); adjective--Egyptian

Ethnic divisions: 90% Eastern Hamitic stock; 10% Greek, Italian,
Syro-Lebanese

Religion: (official estimate) 94% Muslim (mostly Sunni), 6% Coptic
Christian and other

Language: Arabic (official); English and French widely understood by
educated classes

Literacy: 45%

Labor force: 15,000,000 (1989 est.); 36% government,
public sector enterprises, and armed forces; 34% agriculture;
20% privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises (1984);
shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly
in Iraq and the Gulf Arab states (1988 est.)

Organized labor: 2,500,000 (est.)

- Government
Long-form name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Type: republic

Capital: Cairo

Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat,
singular--muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar,
Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah,
Al Ismailiyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya,
Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah,
As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Said, Dumyat,
Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina,
Shamal Sina, Suhaj

Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK); formerly United Arab Republic

Constitution: 11 September 1971

Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic
codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees
validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations

National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)

Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Shaab);
note--there is an Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functions in a
consultative role

Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court

Leaders:
Chief of State--President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting
President on 6 October 1981 upon th